Racism blamed for Khan's exit (written by Kevin Mitchel)

[overhand_right]

Maybe he's disliked for seeking easy fights whilst ducking Thaxton, Murray and Romanov.

Do you really think Khan is shaking in fear trying to avoid Thaxton, Murray and Romanov? All three Euro class at best.

I was referring to his actions at the time - steering around those dangerous opponents, whilst also calling them out of course, but actually fighting soft punching feather Willie Limond and semi-retired Danish bacon Martin Kristwhoareyou.

It has been the recurring theme of his career, however, if he is now fighting Marcos Madaina then finally he is ready to stop ducking dangerous fights.

That is all.

[overhand_right]

Comments on Youtube and Justin TV are not great yardsticks for what the majority of people think.

AMEN to that!

[overhand_right]

Kevin Mitchell is a numpty - his shambolic puff piece of Khan-Salita was cringeworthy, calling it 'the most convincing comeback in recent memory' - simply laughable.

You actually dispute that? Please name a better comeback from a bigger defeat in a shorter time.

Floyd Patterson coming back within 12 months to ice the man who destroyed him, Ingo Johansson in ultra violent fashion.

Sugar Ray Leonard turning the tables on Roberto Duran within months.

Lennox Lewis splattering Hasim Rahman over the canvas when the American rags were writing he was old & finished and Rahman had somehow exposed him. Again, within months.

Honestly Oliver, I could go on, Amir dropping a punchbag (Fagan), technical decision winning over an old, finished feather (Barrera), outscoring the ultra pedestrian Kotelnik in a snoozefest then capping the sh*t blizzard with an 1st rd kayo over simply one of the worst championship opponents in history doesn't add up to much. Rematching & beating Prescott would have been hugely impressive, as that would be genuinely dangerous, such as the route the greats above took. Amir took the usual media friendly con job fights, and it worked a treat on you and Kevin Mitchell it seems. Hoo ha!

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Murray said he wanted to fight Khan. Amir, wrongly, said he'd already battered John in sparring, even though they hadn't sparred. Ollie, you go a bit postal if someone makes a factual error in a forum post, would you have said nothing if you'd been erroneously dismissed?

Not sure about me going postal?

Well, the point I'm trying to make really is that BOTH sides have called for Khan-Murray or Khan-Thaxton, and NEITHER side could make an agreement, and at the same time BOTH sides have trash-talked each other. Yet it is only Khan who takes the stick for the fights not being made.

Furthermore, it is no secret that Hennessy and/or his fighters repeatedly used the same formula to make their names - i.e. baiting more famous boxers rather than forcing the issue with results. Murray-Khan, Thaxton-Khan, Witter-Hatton, Froch-Calzaghe and even Hide-Harrison.

While Khan was getting dissed for fighting Commonwealth champions and ex-world champions, what was Murray doing? Struggling with al-Hamidi. What was Thaxton doin? Struggling with Dave Stewart. Yes, it would have been nice if those fights had been made, but honestly, Murray and Thaxton did not do anything bigger or better than Khan except being "nice blokes" and "honest pros".

And whoever it was that latched onto Khan facing Scott Lawton when he good have boxed Murray. Yep, fair point, and Lawton was a pretty poor match for Khan. Why then, was it not until recently that Murray himself fought Lawton, and that it remains among his best results?

Ok, postal is perhaps a strong word but you've never corrected anyone factually on this forum? Yet you feel that it is fine and dandy for a fighter to put out in the press that he has already dealt with a guy in sparring even though this is erroneous? Murray was calling for Khan but it was hardly trash talk at the start, you will also find that a lot of the calling was done by Joe Gallagher in the earlier days as Murray tended to stick to discussing his upcoming fights.

Whatever, John never, to my knowledge, made claims that he had dealt with Amir in sparring only to later come out and say that he'd made a mistake and had sparred Amir's brother, ironically if this was the case, and judging by recent events, people would likely have accused Murray of racism (because he'd mistaken one Asian guy for another).

At one point or another, and post-Hamidi, you need to look at a few timelines, both Murray and Thaxton were reigning title holders at lightweight and were legitimate opponents for Amir, a former Commonwealth and Inter-Continental champion. So why not ask for the fight with Amir. Especially Murray who, without labouring the point, was wrongly splashed across the headlines as a guy who Khan had handled in the gym when we know this was not the case.

You seem to be frozen at Murray's fight with Hamidi. Didn't Murray then win the lightweight title in impressive fashion? And wasn't Murray the British holder when Khan was also a lightweight? So calls for them to fight were justified. Ditto for Thaxton.

As for Lawton, you are posting on a forum linked to a boxing database. Surely you could have had a shufty and checked for yourself? Scott was coming off a loss, albeit a title loss to Thaxton, when he took on Khan. Prior to Murray he was on a run of wins, including one over the fabled Hamidi, and had contested the BBBoC English title, which generally leads you onto the British title.

In short: Couldn't you say that Lawton-Amir was a different Lawton to the Lawton-Murray one?

I like the way Amir has bounced back from his loss to Prescott but claims that he somehow blazed through the domestic lightweight division are pretty far-fetched. Earl was shot to bits, Gomez also and Limond was a good win. Unfortunately for Murray, and Limond's ESB army, John is going to find it hard to grab a fight, and possible comparison win, over Willie as they could set a date only for Scotsman to pull out of the fight in order to grout a bathroom somewhere in Fife. Hardly Murray's fault.

Yes, the fight is gone, and I also agree that Amir gets a lot of undue stick but he did not clean up domestically at lightweight and you can't make that case in slightest for his light-welterweight career. So the point that Wales and have few others have made sticks.

Your acting like Amir was making up some big lie, he mixed up Steve and John Murray, an honest enough mistake, if John had made a big enough name for himself Khan would know who he was

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Khan dosent help himself when he says comments like

"If I were White I would be a Superstar by now"

A ridiculous big headed comment to make - from a paper champion boxer.

Its true though Flint-Brain.

What must Oscar de la Hoya have thought when Amir Khan was introduced to his fellow countrymen and he was booed off the
stage in Las Vegas - one of the most disgraceful things I have ever seen from so called British fans. De la Hoya must have thought
the fans present were absolute idiots.

I am of the thinking that if a white lad from the north west of England won a silver medal in the olympics at 17 and his surname was
Murray (for example) he would be a superstar - bang on the money!

[WildWaylon]

Will Khan's opponents demand a blood test before they fight him and other Roach / Ariza trained boxers ?

"We have the blood result back sir and they are quite interesting."

"We have detected the presence of some kind of mineral.. looks like bone china ..or.. ... porcelain? "

(sorry Khan fans i'm just lightening the mood )

Wicked but f*cking funny.

[WildWaylon]

It makes you wonder though doesn't it? Are you better off without the glittering Olympic medal and fighting in small halls developing your talent away from the eyes of the mainstream public.

You can't blame Khan for being the way he is, that's what happens when you throw millions at a teenager, you can't expect them to be sensible with it.

Most people I think see a parallel between Khan and Hamilton. It cant be easy for these young men in the limelight, earning millions in their respective sports.

[banjo]

It makes you wonder though doesn't it? Are you better off without the glittering Olympic medal and fighting in small halls developing your talent away from the eyes of the mainstream public.

You can't blame Khan for being the way he is, that's what happens when you throw millions at a teenager, you can't expect them to be sensible with it.

Most people I think see a parallel between Khan and Hamilton. It cant be easy for these young men in the limelight, earning millions in their respective sports.

Well think about it, they've gone from normal kids to multi-millionaires in a short space of time, now I don't know about you but if I'd been given that sort of money in the blink of an eye at a young immature age I'd either be skint or dead by now.

[overhand_right]

I don't know about you but if I'd been given that sort of money in the blink of an eye at a young immature age I'd either be skint or dead by now.

Not sure about skint or dead but I'd definitely have every VD under the sun.

[banjo]

I don't know about you but if I'd been given that sort of money in the blink of an eye at a young immature age I'd either be skint or dead by now.

Not sure about skint or dead but I'd definitely have every VD under the sun.

That's probably what I would have died from.

[whiskey]

I am of the thinking that if a white lad from the north west of England won a silver medal in the olympics at 17 and his surname was
Murray (for example) he would be a superstar - bang on the money!

Total bollocks.

Tony Jeffries won a bronze and he aint got a multi-million pound sponsorship..

All the media are on Khan like a tramp on chips.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

I am of the thinking that if a white lad from the north west of England won a silver medal in the olympics at 17 and his surname was
Murray (for example) he would be a superstar - bang on the money!

Total bollocks.

Tony Jeffries won a bronze and he aint got a multi-million pound sponsorship..

All the media are on Khan like a tramp on chips.

Total bollocks nothing - first of all - Jeffries won his medal amongst probably the best British haul of boxing medals
in the past 70 years so are you going to compare Amir Khans medal which was the only British boxing medal to come
out of Athens, secondly - Amir was 17 - thats an achievement and a half - we all know it and give credit where it is
due except for the most blinkered anti-Khan hater.

And I bet Tony Jeffries doesn't go through all the crap Khan has gone through - are you saying the booing Khan got from
his own so-called countrymen during the Hatton-Pacman weigh was anyway justified? It was a complete disgrace!

[MecnunK]

I think quite a bit of it is simply envy, a young lad already a multi-millionaire, sports cars, big house, girls etc..hobnobbing it with the rich and famous, and not a good wholesome white boy either. Maybe he is sensitive I dunno but I doubt racism is the real reason for his departure although you cant deny it is there as a small factor maybe.

[oliverfennell]

.

Just as Benn beating McClellan, Eubank beating Rocchigiani, Bruno beating McCall and Naz beating Kelley meant infinitely more than domestic wins, Khan will already be remembered more for winning and defending a WBA title and beating Barrera than for not fighting Thaxton and Murray.

A thing to consider before stating the above is that the medium we the fans use to discuss boxing wasn't around in the days of those fighters you mention.

Point being, followers have a platform to air a public view and on an international scale.

In ten years time I suspect khan will indeed be remembered for not fighting his domestic rivals, there is just too much opinion that has been posted, for it to be forgotten about.

We're in a different era now, it's not a correct logic to compare the two in my opinion.

That's an interesting take and time will tell if you're right or not.

However I'd say the only difference really is that we now have a record of these arguments. Definitely among boxing fans there was just as much of a clamour for Benn/Eubank-Graham, if not more, than there has been for Khan-Murray/Thaxton, just we don't have fan forum evidence from the time.

To look at something more timely - do you think in 5-10 years' time, people will denigrate Hatton's wins over Tszyu, Castillo, Malignaggi et al because he didn't fight Witter? Of course people will remember this, but I don't think it will harm his legacy any more than Eubank's or Benn's were harmed by not fighting Graham. And Hatton is of the internet era.

[oliverfennell]

Maybe he's disliked for seeking easy fights whilst ducking Thaxton, Murray and Romanov.

Do you really think Khan is shaking in fear trying to avoid Thaxton, Murray and Romanov? All three Euro class at best.

I was referring to his actions at the time - steering around those dangerous opponents, whilst also calling them out of course, but actually fighting soft punching feather Willie Limond and semi-retired Danish bacon Martin Kristwhoareyou.

It has been the recurring theme of his career, however, if he is now fighting Marcos Madaina then finally he is ready to stop ducking dangerous fights.

That is all.

"At the time" is the recurring theme. Well, at no time has Murray fought at a higher level than Khan, at the same time. At the time Khan fought him, Limond was a better opponent than anyone Murray had fought. Ditto Earl, St Clair, maybe even Gomez. This is what I'm getting at, really. People love to criticise Khan's matchmaking, but where is the murderers' row on Murray's record?

[oliverfennell]

Kevin Mitchell is a numpty - his shambolic puff piece of Khan-Salita was cringeworthy, calling it 'the most convincing comeback in recent memory' - simply laughable.

You actually dispute that? Please name a better comeback from a bigger defeat in a shorter time.

Floyd Patterson coming back within 12 months to ice the man who destroyed him, Ingo Johansson in ultra violent fashion.

Sugar Ray Leonard turning the tables on Roberto Duran within months.

Lennox Lewis splattering Hasim Rahman over the canvas when the American rags were writing he was old & finished and Rahman had somehow exposed him. Again, within months.

Honestly Oliver, I could go on, Amir dropping a punchbag (Fagan), technical decision winning over an old, finished feather (Barrera), outscoring the ultra pedestrian Kotelnik in a snoozefest then capping the sh*t blizzard with an 1st rd kayo over simply one of the worst championship opponents in history doesn't add up to much. Rematching & beating Prescott would have been hugely impressive, as that would be genuinely dangerous, such as the route the greats above took. Amir took the usual media friendly con job fights, and it worked a treat on you and Kevin Mitchell it seems. Hoo ha!

The man said "recent" memory. The only one of your examples that could conceivably be called "recent" is Lewis-Rahman, and even that is eight years ago now.

In any case, I'd say Khan's comeback was better because he had more to prove. Lewis was already a confirmed world level operator and the consensus was that he should beat Rahman in a rematch. Khan was absolutely annihilated by a total unknown. That is much worse than losing at world level due to essentially no more than complacency. Khan was utterly written off, but less than a year he won a major world belt. The point is, he had much further to come back from than Lewis (or Leonard or Patterson, one or three lifetimes ago), and the odds against him doing so were much longer than they were for Lewis.

[oliverfennell]

Excellent bit of debate, Terry. Allow me to continue:

Ok, postal is perhaps a strong word but you've never corrected anyone factually on this forum? Yet you feel that it is fine and dandy for a fighter to put out in the press that he has already dealt with a guy in sparring even though this is erroneous?

I didn't comment on that because to be honest it's the first I've heard of it. Did it happen (i.e. was reported) after I left Britain? In any case, Fighter A saying "I smashed up Fighter B in sparring", and Fighter B saying "Oh no you didn't" is hardly the most startingly unusual but of boxing hype I've ever heard.

At one point or another, and post-Hamidi, you need to look at a few timelines, both Murray and Thaxton were reigning title holders at lightweight and were legitimate opponents for Amir, a former Commonwealth and Inter-Continental champion. So why not ask for the fight with Amir.

I never said they shouldn't. But if Khan rags on a rival, it's "trash talk", yet it isn't when someone calls him out?

You seem to be frozen at Murray's fight with Hamidi.

And people are frozen at Khan's fight with Limond. Who was the better boxer, again? Limond or al-Hamidi? As an aside, let me point out that Khan was struggling with a defending Commonwealth champion at 20 years old in his 13th pro fight. Murray was struggling with a 4-8-1 journeyman in his 24th pro fight.

Didn't Murray then win the lightweight title in impressive fashion?

Yes, congratulations to Murray for moving into major title level at 3 years older in age, 2 years longer into his pro career, and 12 pro fights further into his career, than Khan.

As for Lawton, you are posting on a forum linked to a boxing database. Surely you could have had a shufty and checked for yourself? Scott was coming off a loss, albeit a title loss to Thaxton, when he took on Khan. Prior to Murray he was on a run of wins, including one over the fabled Hamidi, and had contested the BBBoC English title, which generally leads you onto the British title. In short: Couldn't you say that Lawton-Amir was a different Lawton to the Lawton-Murray one?

Yes, no doubt Lawton had improved since he faced Khan. However the undeniable fact, again, is that regardless of what version of Lawton it was, Murray was just getting going at British title level, while Khan was preparing for a world title shot (bless this database!).

I like the way Amir has bounced back from his loss to Prescott but claims that he somehow blazed through the domestic lightweight division are pretty far-fetched. ... he did not clean up domestically at lightweight and you can't make that case in slightest for his light-welterweight career.

Nobody IS saying that. Yet I would argue Limond, Earl and Lawton is comparable with Meager, McAllister and Lawton.

So the point that Wales and have few others have made sticks. He's not going to be particularly arsed though. His legacy will be in the fights he wins. People will remember Hatton for Tszyu and even Floyd, not for Witter.

We agree on something!

[FLINT ISLAND]

Khan dosent help himself when he says comments like

"If I were White I would be a Superstar by now"

A ridiculous big headed comment to make - from a paper champion boxer.

Its true though Flint-Brain.

What must Oscar de la Hoya have thought when Amir Khan was introduced to his fellow countrymen and he was booed off the
stage in Las Vegas - one of the most disgraceful things I have ever seen from so called British fans. De la Hoya must have thought
the fans present were absolute idiots.

I am of the thinking that if a white lad from the north west of England won a silver medal in the olympics at 17 and his surname was
Murray (for example) he would be a superstar - bang on the money!

Well - he was given a prime ITV saturday night main event slot for a AMATEUR fight - where he was presented his Olympic Conquerer on a plate in his own country - to regain revenge - (so he could claim to be the Olympic Champ really kind of thing)

He was a millionaire before he turned professional at 17/18 years old.

He had autobiographys released when he was a teenager

He had DVDS released charting his career to date when he was still a novice

He had Reebook signing him up in £2 million deals to waer their clothes and advertise their products in glossy magazines.

He had a big house for the family before he had even won a belt as a professional.

He was driving around in super cars worth £100,000 that the vast majority of British pro boxers could never afford.

And he had the top lawyers to get him off lightly on a serious incident where he mowed someone over in his car.

He was barely a Commonwealth Champion and they already started him as a pay per view fighter.

Then only a couple of fights after being KO'd in the 1st round - he was handed a World title fight on a platter.

I cant think of any British Boxer - White or Black or Asian - who has been handed such super star treatment.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Khan dosent help himself when he says comments like

"If I were White I would be a Superstar by now"

A ridiculous big headed comment to make - from a paper champion boxer.

Its true though Flint-Brain.

What must Oscar de la Hoya have thought when Amir Khan was introduced to his fellow countrymen and he was booed off the
stage in Las Vegas - one of the most disgraceful things I have ever seen from so called British fans. De la Hoya must have thought
the fans present were absolute idiots.

I am of the thinking that if a white lad from the north west of England won a silver medal in the olympics at 17 and his surname was
Murray (for example) he would be a superstar - bang on the money!

Well - he was given a prime ITV saturday night main event slot for a AMATEUR fight - where he was presented his Olympic Conquerer on a plate in his own country - to regain revenge - (so he could claim to be the Olympic Champ really kind of thing)

He was a millionaire before he turned professional at 17/18 years old.

He had autobiographys released when he was a teenager

He had DVDS released charting his career to date when he was still a novice

He had Reebook signing him up in £2 million deals to waer their clothes and advertise their products in glossy magazines.

He had a big house for the family before he had even won a belt as a professional.

He was driving around in super cars worth £100,000 that the vast majority of British pro boxers could never afford.

And he had the top lawyers to get him off lightly on a serious incident where he mowed someone over in his car.

He was barely a Commonwealth Champion and they already started him as a pay per view fighter.

Then only a couple of fights after being KO'd in the 1st round - he was handed a World title fight on a platter.

I cant think of any British Boxer - White or Black or Asian - who has been handed such super star treatment.

We are talking about the fans aren't we?

They boo him for no reason.

You get posters on here who want to see him get knocked out - ask them their reason - they would be reasons that could be aimed at near enough every top flight boxer promoted by allegedly.

As for his last amateur fight being televised - wasn't it against Kindelan and wasn't it his last fight as an amateur? You know - 17 year old boxing medalists are hard to come by in any country - thats why he got the star treatment off promoters and the media.

He has been backing it up - beating a former silver olympic medalist very convincingly for his WBA title.

Lastly - the reception he got off his own COUNTRYMEN at the Hatton vs Pacman weigh in was nothing short of a DISGRACE. Or do you think that was acceptable?

[Wales]

Who is anyone to tell me who I must, and must not support?

Im sorry but I couldnt give a hoot if Khan was black, white or pink with yellow spots I stopped supporting him during the bust up with Oliver Harrison and the treatment of a man Ive met many times, and a man who welcomed me into his gym to watch and interview the guys he was training. The way "team khan" treated and sacked Oliver was disgraceful and I'll boo the fecker if I want to - my choice.

"He's your countryman" - Is this reverse racism now? I must support Khan over barrera because barrera isnt british... errr... no... I'll support the fighter I want to support for my own personal reasons.

As it happens im now back on the Khan bandwagon, why?, because I fornicating well want to be.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Who is anyone to tell me who I must, and must not support?

Im sorry but I couldnt give a hoot if Khan was black, white or pink with yellow spots I stopped supporting him during the bust up with Oliver Harrison and the treatment of a man Ive met many times, and a man who welcomed me into his gym to watch and interview the guys he was training. The way "team khan" treated and sacked Oliver was disgraceful and I'll boo the fecker if I want to - my choice.

"He's your countryman" - Is this reverse racism now? I must support Khan over barrera because barrera isnt british... errr... no... I'll support the fighter I want to support for my own personal reasons.

As it happens im now back on the Khan bandwagon, why?, because I effing well want to be.

God - you sound like a petulant child - how old are you? 14?

Why did you not just mention the treatment Oliver Harrison copped from Khan 5 pages ago instead of coming out with all this fornicating guff about Khan ducking fighters and having an easy route to the top? You know - trainers get fired - sometimes for just and not so just reasons. I don't know what really went on as both sides have their story and I doubt you know too much either or have only one really biased side of the story. All I can say is Oliver Harrison is doing really well at this moment isn't he despite what happened with Khan?

As for the booing is Vegas - we know that in 90% of the case - we both know it has everything to do with that lads colour and religion - you know it, I know it - we all know it.

[Wales]

Who is anyone to tell me who I must, and must not support?

Im sorry but I couldnt give a hoot if Khan was black, white or pink with yellow spots I stopped supporting him during the bust up with Oliver Harrison and the treatment of a man Ive met many times, and a man who welcomed me into his gym to watch and interview the guys he was training. The way "team khan" treated and sacked Oliver was disgraceful and I'll boo the fecker if I want to - my choice.

"He's your countryman" - Is this reverse racism now? I must support Khan over barrera because barrera isnt british... errr... no... I'll support the fighter I want to support for my own personal reasons.

As it happens im now back on the Khan bandwagon, why?, because I effing well want to be.

God - you sound like a petulant child - how old are you? 14?

Why did you not just mention the treatment Oliver Harrison copped from Khan 5 pages ago instead of coming out with all this effing guff about Khan ducking fighters and having an easy route to the top? You know - trainers get fired - sometimes for just and not so just reasons. I don't know what really went on as both sides have their story and I doubt you know too much either. All I can say is Oliver Harrison is doing really well at this moment isn't he?

As for the booing is Vegas - we know that in 90% of the case - we both know it has everything to do with that lads colour and religion - you know it, I know it - we all know it.

No, 28. Its not petulance, just this high and righteous stance on supporting "your own countrymen" - we're not in war, its sport, and people should be free to support whoever they want, regardless of nationality.

With regards to the Harrison debacle. Its no secret that thats why I didnt like Khan for a good 18 months, I didnt mention it earlier because at no point was the discussion in relation to a like or dislike of khan. I merely made a comment he didnt clean up the domestic scene, at no point during any of the "guff" was disliking him mentioned, just my opinion he shouldve and couldve fought thaxton (primerily). As for not knowing what really went on, No I dont. But what I do know, I dont like. Its a bit like saying "I dont like michael jackson because in my opinion he touches children" - ah... but you cant dislike him for that because you dont really know what went on.

I must live a sheltered life, becuase of all the people Ive met that dont like Amir Khan never has anyone said anything about his race. And that goes for friends and lads in the pub that would say as such. Lets be fair, theres a long list of potential dislikes. Everything from the treatment of Oliver Harrison, to the driving instances, to the verbal stuff, to the protected record etc... Plenty of choices.

Olivers not doing very well at all, no. Although Martin Murray and Mark Thompson may disagree with british title shots coming up. Also, he guided Jamie Moore to within one fight of a world title eliminator. He has a thriving gym and is now promoting his own shows accross the North West too.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Olivers not doing very well at all, no. Although Martin Murray and Mark Thompson may disagree with british title shots coming up. Also, he guided Jamie Moore to within one fight of a world title eliminator. He has a thriving gym and is now promoting his own shows accross the North West too.

I have just said that - Khan leaving him hasn't done him much harm.

You know - why does Khan attract this hatred I am not saying any one paticular person hates him because of his racial orgins or religious beliefs - but didn't Chris Eubank not kill someone with his crap driving but look through the threads about him - he's brilliant, a loveable eccentric, hard as nails etc and Naz - he has had his moments behind the wheel - and why don't we hate Ricky Hatton - he binned his trainer, was protected by Fwank AND has an annoying brother.

But I will put money on this - there will be many people who hate Amir Khan and it will have nothing to do with his driving skills, his boxing career or how he treats his ex trainers - give me that at least eh?

[Twinkle Toes]

That's an interesting take and time will tell if you're right or not.

However I'd say the only difference really is that we now have a record of these arguments. Definitely among boxing fans there was just as much of a clamour for Benn/Eubank-Graham, if not more, than there has been for Khan-Murray/Thaxton, just we don't have fan forum evidence from the time.

To look at something more timely - do you think in 5-10 years' time, people will denigrate Hatton's wins over Tszyu, Castillo, Malignaggi et al because he didn't fight Witter? Of course people will remember this, but I don't think it will harm his legacy any more than Eubank's or Benn's were harmed by not fighting Graham. And Hatton is of the internet era.

Personally, I don't recall the clamour for Benn, Eubank or for that matter Watson to face Graham - He was never in the picture - We don't know for sure what the boxing fans wanted because they didn't have a vehicle to voice an opinion.

To just state is as fact isn't good enough and isn't backed up with anything substantial - Unlike how we can detail khan/Thaxton or Murray even

As for Hatton. Regradless of how his record finishes, he will always have that bugbear of not facing Witter, who was his big domestic rival of the time.

There has been much written about it, whether it be on a forum, by a net journo or in hard print - The casual fan may not be interested, but any self respecting fan will always bring it up when assessing Hattons career, as I am sure you would if asked to do a piece on Hattons career to date.

It's not about exposing a record it's about detailing what actually happened - Which is: Khan avoided his big domestic rivals.

[jimglen]

the truth is, it stinks!
and it cheats not only the fighter waiting, but also the true history of the sport and of course 'rightly' so the lagacy of the champion involved.

taken from a family that knows well the reality of such situations.